The Jumpers are Coming 2020/2021

THE JUMPERS IS A COMING...............................


'I wouldn't be writing him off at all' - Gordon Elliott star's Gold Cup aim

Gordon Elliott: "I probably say this every year, but I’ve never had as nice a bunch of horses to look forward to"

UPDATED 8:44PM, OCT 18 2020

Welcome to Gordon Elliott’s playground. Here we have toys other trainers could only ever dream about playing with. In one box, there is the unbeaten Envoi Allen, firmly on course to make his chasing debut at Down Royal next month.

Tiger Roll, the most popular horse in training, is another. Presenting Percy is a nice addition to the Gold Cup category that already features five-time Grade 1 winner Delta Work.

There is no place for boredom around here. Every corner of Cullentra House Stables is full of intrigue and we haven’t even mentioned the toys Elliott has yet to unwrap.

“We have an unbelievable amount of talented horses and we’re very lucky, but we also have a lot of unraced horses and I’m just very privileged to have some brilliant owners,” Elliott says.

More immediately, Elliott could take the wraps off Tiger Roll in a Flat maiden at Navan on Thursday, while Presenting Percy and Delta Work could return in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal next month.

That meeting has long been used as a springboard for Elliott to launch his season and Samcro, Envoi Allen, Abacadabras and some talented bumper horses are just a handful being prepared for take-off.

Elliott adds: “It’s no secret I like to start off some of my best horses at Down Royal in November and, touch wood, Envoi Allen, Abacadabras, Samcro, Presenting Percy and Delta Work will all start back there.

“I probably say this every year, but I’ve never had as nice a bunch of horses to look forward to and we look to be well represented in most divisions.”

Rival to watch

Anything trained by Willie Mullins.

Race in focus

I’ll say the WKD Hurdle at Down Royal with Abacadabras. I think this horse has what it takes to run very well in a Champion Hurdle and, all being well, he’ll start off at Down Royal. Hopefully he can get off to a winning start and then we could think about going to Leopardstown and places like that before hopefully having a good crack at the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. The WKD Hurdle isn’t the biggest race in the season, but it’s an important one for Abacadabras and one we’ve had our eye on for a while with him..
Stable profile

Yard Cullentra House Stables
Where Longwood, County Meath
Started training 2006
Horses in yard 205
Members of staff 60
Assistant trainers Ian Amond and Keith Donoghue
Head lad Simon McGonagle
Travelling head staff Camilla Sharples and Brian Flood
Barn managers Joey Elliott, Eleri Apps, Seainin Mahon, Jack Madden, Katie Young, Cossie McGivern, Cat Bolger, Sinead O'Brien, Carly Scott, Darren Treacy, Ronan Galway and Kim Bridgett
Head of veterinary care Mary Nugent
Feed man Shane McCann
Race planning Ryan McElligott
Jockeys Davy Russell, Jack Kennedy, Denis O'Regan and Keith Donoghue
Amateur jockeys Lisa O'Neill and Jamie Codd
Secretaries Alex Hutter and Pip Proctor
Accountant Conor McCafferty
Stable sponsor eCOMM Merchant Solutions
Website gordonelliottracing.co.uk
Twitter @gelliott_racing

Winners in Ireland
2019-20 156
2018-19 177
2017-18 210
2016-17 193
2015-16 123

Profit/loss to €1 stake
2019-20 -312.94
2018-19 -383.08
2017-18 -287.03
2016-17 -285.47
2015-16 -285.93

Total prize-money 2019-20 €3,820,310

Abacadabras
Six-year-old gelding Davidoff (sire) - Cadoubelle Des As (dam)
Owner: Gigginstown House Stud
Form figures: /211212-
Racing Post Rating 160 (hurdles); Official rating 158h
He'll start off at Down Royal in the Grade 3 WKD Hurdle and we'll go down the Champion Hurdle route with him. He's always shown us loads of pace and you could say he was a bit unlucky not to win the Supreme last season. He was left in front a bit too soon and it didn't suit. We're hoping he's up to the standard needed to win a Champion Hurdle.

Aforementioned
7g Zanzibari - Parcelle De Sou
Gigginstown House Stud
-242511
RPR 139c OR 136c
He won the Munster National off a light weight. He's a grand, big staying chaser and he'll be targeted at all of those good staying handicap chases.

Alpha Des Obeaux
10g Saddler Maker - Omega Des Obeaux
Gigginstown House Stud
2/2333-5
RPR 168c OR 158c
His year will be geared towards the Aintree Grand National. I was delighted with how his prep was going for the race last year and it's just a pity it didn't go ahead. He ran well in the Becher and Bobbyjo last season and I'd imagine we'll aim him back at those races. I could see him running well in the Grand National as he has all the right attributes for the race.

Andy Dufresne
6g Doyen - Daytona Lily
JP McManus
1/1/1213-
RPR 150h OR 145h
He's schooled very well over fences and will be ready to start in the next week or ten days. We've viewed him as a chaser from day one and we're really looking forward to seeing what he can do over a fence.

Aramax
4g Maxios - Aramina
JP McManus
F311-08
RPR 138h, 99c OR 142h
He ran to a good level over hurdles last season but he got very tired on his first start over fences at Galway. There should be a lot of fun to be had with him this season.

Ard Abhainn
6m Jeremy - Sheer Frustration
Mrs Maura Gittins
/141310-
RPR 134h OR 132h
She's a very nice mare who did well for us last season and I'm hoping there's a lot more fun to be had with her. I'm not sure if we're going to keep her to hurdles or go chasing, but she looks like she could be just as effective over fences.

Ballyadam
5g Fame And Glory - Grass Tips
Cheveley Park Stud
131-
RPR 122b OR -
He's a smart horse. The plan will be to start him off in a maiden hurdle at Down Royal and I'd be disappointed if he's not a Graded horse over hurdles this season. When Jamie [Codd] got off him after winning at Downpatrick he said he was the best horse who would ever run up there – Jamie doesn't say things like that too often, so you have to respect what he says. Jamie wasn't wonderful on him when he got beaten in a bumper at Navan the time before that but the ground was very heavy and the horse ran keen. We couldn't see him being beaten that day as he was working that well, so we all had long faces on us that day, but it was great to see him do what we thought he was capable of doing at Downpatrick and we think he can take high rank over hurdles this year.

BattleoverDoyen
7g Doyen - Battle Over
Gigginstown House Stud
P/111F4-
RPR 158c OR 152c
We could bring him back in trip and may even start him off in the Fortria Chase over two miles at Navan. He didn't do a whole pile wrong last year but maybe his form just tapered off a little bit.

Bel Ami De Sivola
9g Network - Notting Hill
Tom Howley and Aidan O’Ryan
/36P55P/
RPR 138c OR 133c
He had a tendon injury and has missed a bit of time but he's back in and cantering away. We're thinking of stepping him up in trip and there are loads of valuable handicaps we could aim him at.

Bigbadandbeautiful
6m Big Bad Bob - Playing Around
Andrew Bedford
32/1114-
RPR 124b OR -
She'll go novice hurdling and is one we're looking forward to. She was a classy bumper mare last season and we ran her on the Flat. We could go back to the Flat with her again. We like her.

Black Tears
6m Jeremy - Our Girl Salley
Mrs Caren Walsh & John Lightfoot
P23122-
RPR 147h OR 148h
She's been a great mare, good and consistent, and always picks up a cheque. We'd be looking to get more black type with her this year but she's a valuable broodmare as it is. It's unlikely that she'll go chasing.

Braeside
6g Presenting - The Kids Dante
KTDA Racing
3316F-4
RPR 124h, 116c OR 122h
I could see him winning a good staying handicap chase off a light weight. He's a big stayer who gallops and jumps.

Braid Blue
7g Gold Well - Outo'Theblue
PJ McBurney
1112-4U
RPR 145h OR 141h
He's a talented horse. He probably doesn't want real heavy ground but on his day he's smart. He'll be out in a beginners' chase fairly soon and I'm hoping he's up to winning one.

Calagogo
4g Doyen - Bluebell Line
Camilla Sharples
3
RPR 89b OR -
He was a good third in a Fairyhouse bumper on his debut and he'll come on a lot for that. He'll pay his way over the winter.

Call Me Lyreen
4g Court Cave - Mooneys Valley
Lyreen Syndicate
1
RPR 113h OR -
He won well at Tramore last month. I'm not going to rush him as he's big and backward, but he should be up to winning plenty of races.

Cheb De Kerviniou
10g Tiger Groom - Muhtatene
Simon Munir & Isaac Souede
42332P-
RPR 136c OR 129c
I think he's well enough handicapped to win a nice pot somewhere. The ground couldn't be soft enough for him.

Chemical Energy
4g Well Chosen - Meadstown Miss
Andrew Brown & Gemma Brown
1
RPR 110b OR -
He won his bumper impressively at Roscommon and we're really looking forward to him this season. He'll go to the winners' bumper at Down Royal all being well.

Chosen Mate
7g Well Chosen - Norwich Star
The Northern Four Racing Partnership
3411-04
RPR 158c, 145h OR 156c, 143h
He won the Grand Annual at Cheltenham last season and will be competitive in all of those conditions chases over two miles this season. He gave himself a cut at Tipperary a couple of weeks ago but nothing too serious. He could pick up a lot of prize-money.

Clondaw Secret
5g Court Cave - Secret Can't Say
Noel and Valerie Moran
1- (point-to-point)
RPR 89p OR -
We're looking forward to starting him off in a bumper in the coming weeks. We're just waiting on a bit of softer ground for him.

Coach Carter
4g Sholokhov - Catcherinscratcher
Kenny Haughey
3
RPR 97b OR -
He ran a bit keen at Galway. He's a quick horse who jumps very well. He'll go for another bumper and will win plenty of races.

Coko Beach
5g Cokoriko - Solana Beach
Gigginstown House Stud
512F09-
RPR 147h OR 141h
He'll go novice chasing. He never really got his ground last season but he was a highly rated juvenile hurdler and he could be all right over fences.

Column Of Fire
6g Robin Des Champs - Ghillie's Bay
Gigginstown House Stud
32F13F-
RPR 146h OR 145h
He looked as though he was delivering a winning challenge when falling at the last in the Martin Pipe. He was very sore afterwards, but thankfully we have him for this season and we'll go over fences. He's cantering away and is about a month or six weeks away from running. He's a classy horse.

Commander of fleet
6g Fame And Glory - Coonagh Cross
Gigginstown House Stud
1/1412/P-
RPR 152h OR 149h
He's a Grade 1 winner. He got a leg last year but he's back and looks great. He's an exciting horse to go chasing with.

Commentariolus
6g Frankel - Apsara
M Booth & Rachael Evans
13/5/
RPR 123h OR 120h
He had a leg injury and missed a lot of time but had a nice run on the Flat at Thurles this month and I think he's well up to winning a few over hurdles.

Conflated
6g Yeats - Saucy Present
Gigginstown House Stud
31344-3
RPR 141h, 137c OR 138h
He had a nice run over fences at Punchestown and he should come on a lot for the run. You'd be hoping he might develop into a black-type horse and there might be a handicap to be won with him along the way.

Coqolino
5g French Fifteen - Classic Angel
JP McManus
12-
RPR 120b OR -
He was beaten by a good horse in a bumper at Gowran Park. We like him and we're looking forward to sending him over hurdles.

Corran Cross
5g Doyen - Steel Lady
KTDA Racing
1-2
RPR 115b OR -
He bumped into a smart horse at Downpatrick and he's well up to winning his bumper in the coming weeks.

Cracking Smart
8g Great Pretender - Maya Du Frene
Gigginstown House Stud
8P7514-
RPR 155h OR 154h
He won the Boyne Hurdle at Navan last season and he's back looking and moving great. He didn't enjoy chasing, so I'd say we'll keep him over hurdles this season. He can go for all of those conditions hurdle races and he's a smart horse on his day.

Cuneo
8g Kapgarde - Mefertiti
Pioneer Racing
700-033
RPR 141h, 120c OR 130h
We ran him over a trip that's probably a bit short of his best at Gowran Park. He's a big staying horse and we'll try to win a staying handicap chase with him. He's a good fun horse to have.

Curlew Hill
5g Carlotamix - Flags Flying
Noel and Valerie Moran
414123
RPR 132h OR -
He ran well at Punchestown and then got beaten by a smart horse at Downpatrick when the ground was a bit soft for him.

Daphne Moon
5m Kalanisi - Massini Rose
Mrs B McConnell
3382-0
RPR 104b OR -
The ground wasn't soft enough for her last time at Punchestown but she's going to go over hurdles now. She's a big, honest staying mare.

Dark Spark
4g Presenting - Voler La Vedette
Nelius O'Keeffe
1
RPR 116b OR -
He’s got a really good pedigree and I liked the way he won his bumper at Kilbeggan. He's a nice horse who we'll probably keep to bumpers this season.

Darling Daughter
6m Presenting - Premier Victory
Gigginstown House Stud
110-
RPR 123b OR -
She had to have an operation on her knees after the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham but she's back cantering away. She probably won't be ready until Christmas but she's a Grade 2 bumper winner and should be well capable of getting black type over hurdles.

Daylight Katie
7m Bonbon Rose - Sirani
Coldunell Limited
313/211-
RPR 139h OR -
She'll go jumping fences. She injured herself at Down Royal last year – she just put her foot through the third-last and cut her leg – and that's why she didn't run again. I've always liked her and I'm looking forward to seeing her over a fence.

Death Duty
9g Shantou - Midnight Gift
Gigginstown House Stud
1F/4402-
RPR 162c 150h OR 147c 142h
He's working well. I'm not sure what route I'm going to go with him but he's very well and isn't far off running. He's a classy horse but he's had a few injuries. I wouldn't be surprised if we kept him over hurdles.

Defi Bleu
7g Saddler Maker - Glycine Bleue
Gigginstown House Stud
13203/P-
RPR 145h OR 140h
He missed a year through injury. We haven't fully decided if he'll go chasing but he could mix and match. He could win a lot of prize-money if he stays sound.

Delta Work
7g Network - Robbe
Gigginstown House Stud
3-14115
RPR 173c OR 170c
We've learned a bit more about him every year and we know he always comes on from his first run, so we'd be expecting him to take a good step forward from whatever he does in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal. He's still a young horse and we think there could be more improvement with another summer under his belt. He was only beaten six or seven lengths in the Gold Cup despite the fact he didn't jump well on the day – he just never got into a rhythm for whatever reason at Cheltenham – so I wouldn't be writing him off at all. Jack [Kennedy] seems to get a tune out him that nobody else can, so hopefully he'll be back in time to ride him at Down Royal. He'll take the exact same path to the Gold Cup this season and I still believe in him.

Don Diablo
5g Flemensfirth - Tonaphuca Girl
KTDA Racing
2-3
RPR 110b OR -
He was too keen when third in a bumper at Clonmel but he came out of the race well and will run again soon.

Duffle Coat
3g Alhebayeb - Humilis
Little Emperor Syndicate
11
RPR 124h OR -
He's done nothing wrong in winning his two hurdle races this season and we'll either go to Down Royal or Wetherby with him. He's not the biggest but he has an engine.

Easywork
6g Network - Rivabella De Saisy
Gigginstown House Stud
3/11122-
RPR 155h OR 153h
He's a good horse. He chased home Envoi Allen in the Ballymore last season and that's good form. We're looking forward to seeing what he can do over fences and he stays well.

Eclair De Beaufeu
6g Monitor Closely - Tenebreuse Gemm
Gigginstown House Stud
214312-
RPR 158c, 138h OR 153c, 135h
He'll run in all of those good two-mile chases. He was second at Cheltenham last season and won a valuable handicap chase in Ireland as well. Hopefully there'll be more to come from him and he might even come back over hurdles at some stage in the season.

Envious Editor
6g Aizavoski - Moll The Rol
Robcour
20/49P-3
RPR 118h OR 118h
He ran well at Listowel on his first run for us and he should come on a lot for that. He should be winning his maiden hurdle in the next few weeks.

Envoi Allen
6g Muhtathir - Reaction
Cheveley Park Stud
11/1111-
RPR 161h OR 160h
We can't wait to send him over a fence as this is what he was bought to do. It's no secret that I like to start off my best horses at Down Royal and the beginners' chase that Samcro won last year looks the right place for him to go. He can come up and down in trip in Ireland, like he did last season in his novice hurdles, but if I was to put my hand on my heart about what race he'll run in at Cheltenham I'd have to say it would be the JLT. He'll have two more strong pieces of work between now and Down Royal and we're very happy with him.

Escaira Ten
6g Maresca Sorrento - Spartes Eria
McNeill Family
23110-
RPR 138h OR 132h
He won a couple of times over hurdles and could be a real good staying chaser for us this season. He's an exciting horse and one we're really looking forward to.

Eskylane
6g Flemensfirth - Maple Lady
K Haughey & Laura Haughey & Kieran T Byrne
215-1
RPR 135h OR -
Like a lot of ours, he'll come on a lot for his first start of the season, when he won nicely at Punchestown. He's a classy horse, as he showed when finishing fifth in the Champion Bumper last season, and I'd say it'll be the For Auction Novice Hurdle at Navan next.

Fakiera
5g Cokoriko - Stella D'Engilbert
Tim O'Driscoll
4/4222-
RPR 130h OR -
He's a big staying horse who has a few good runs under his belt and he'll be ready to start back in a few weeks. He's up to winning his maiden hurdle and we'll take it from there.

Fakir D'Alene
5g Cokoriko - Serbanne
Noel and Valerie Moran
7-2
RPR 114h OR -
He was disappointing in a bumper at Navan last season but he had a good run back over hurdles at Kilbeggan and I'd expect him to get off the mark sooner rather than later.

Fancy Foundations
6g Kayf Tara - Miss Rocco
Andrew Brown & Gemma Brown
4/4P-1
RPR 119h OR -
He's a nice horse and whatever he does over hurdles will only be a bonus before he goes jumping fences.

Fantasio D'Alene
5g Saddler Maker - Passion D'Alene
Gigginstown House Stud
3/12247-
RPR 113h OR -
He should develop into a good staying novice this year and is one we're really looking forward to. He could end up being an Albert Bartlett horse.

Farouk D'alene
5g Racinger - Mascotte D'Alene
Gigginstown House Stud
11-
RPR 126b OR -
He won two bumpers for us and is a tough horse who jumps and gallops well. He could be a real good staying novice hurdler. The Ballymore could be the race for him. He's laid-back at home but he's a fair galloper and you'd have to love what he did both days for us.

Feel My Pulse
6g Stowaway - Zenaide
Gigginstown House Stud
1/ (point-to-point)
RPR 94p OR -
He's a very talented horse but also very hard to train. We couldn't get him to the track at all last year but he's back working nicely and hopefully we'll get a clear run with him. We're just waiting on some soft ground for him.

Felicidad
5m Racinger - Sacade
Kenneth Alexander
3/8-F216
RPR 126h OR -
She won her maiden hurdle well at Listowel but it was very heavy ground at Limerick last time and she choked up, so we're going to get her wind done now.

Felix Desjy
7g Maresca Sorrento - Lamadoun
Gigginstown House Stud
151/2-F1
RPR 135c OR -
He'll go for the Craddockstown Novice Chase at Punchestown after winning his beginners' chase nicely at Killarney. He'll come on a lot for Killarney and he's a nice horse to have for the two-mile novice chasing sphere. The Arkle will be on his agenda but you'd have to say he's more effective on a flat track, where he can put other horses under pressure, and he could be hard to beat at Aintree. He won a Grade 1 over hurdles there as a novice a couple of seasons back, so we know he likes it there.

Fields of dreams
4g Champs Elysees - Dylanesque
Frank McAleavy
4781-23 (Flat)
RPR 83f OR 78f
He was rated in the high 70s on the Flat for Roger Charlton and he's jumping well at home. He should be ready to start off over hurdles in the next few weeks.

Fierami
5g Network - Une Brik
Jim Power
7-5759
RPR 101h OR 102h
He has solid form without being exceptional and could be well enough handicapped to pay his way.

Fiston Des Issards
5g Buck's Boum - Saboum
Noel and Valerie Moran
1- (point-to-point)
RPR 92p OR -
He came highly recommended out of Colin Bowe's after he won his point and he's one we're looking forward to starting off in a bumper. He's a big staying chaser for the future.

Floueur
5g Legolas - Saraska D'Airy
Claudio Michael Grech
31113-
RPR 141h OR 141h
He won a nice race at Navan and ran well at Punchestown. He's another big chaser and one we're looking forward to.

Folcano
Falco - Floriana
Noel and Valerie Moran
FF1- (point-to-point)
RPR 88p OR -
He won his point and is a nice bumper horse to have this year.

Frontal Assault
5g Presenting - The Folkes Choice
Gigginstown House Stud
235-2
RPR 118b 111h OR -
He didn't do a lot wrong apart from being beaten at Limerick and he'll come on a lot for that.

Fury Road
6g Stowaway - Molly Duffy
Gigginstown House Stud
311143-
RPR 152h OR 151h
He's going to stay over hurdles this season and there's a nice second-season novice race over 2m6f at Navan for him to start off in. You'd be hoping he can develop into a horse who would be competitive in the Stayers' Hurdle. That division looks quite open and that's why we kept him to hurdles this year.

Galvin
6g Gold Well - Burren Moonshine
RA Bartlett
422-111
RPR 155c OR 148c
The National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham is made for this lad. It's hard to believe it, but he didn't win over fences until July of this year, when he won over 2m5f at Killarney. He's won two soft races since. The plan was the Galway Plate but we had to rule him out on the morning of the race, which was unfortunate. I'd say there's a nice pot in him and the National Hunt Chase is the plan. He was second at Cheltenham last season and ran well there as a hurdler, so it seems the logical aim. There's a Grade 3 chase at Cork next month and we could run him in that before putting him away for Cheltenham.

Gars De Sceaux
4g Saddler Marker - Replique
JP McManus
1- (point-to-point)
RPR 96p OR -
He won his point-to-point nicely and we like him. He's one to look forward to and will start off in a bumper.

Gerri Colombe
4g Saddler Maker - Ruse De Guerre
Robcour
1- (point-to-point)
RPR 90p OR -
Another who won his point nicely, he's one of many nice horses we have to run in bumpers this season.

Getabay
6g Getaway - Curragheen
Andrew Brown & Gemma Brown
6223-33
RPR 112h OR -
A big staying chaser and I’d say you couldn't go far enough with him. I probably ran him back a bit soon last month.

Get Rich Die Plyin
5g Beat Hollow - Shivermetimber
Apollo Horse Racing Syndicate & Gary Hassall
2-13
RPR 127h OR -
He's a big galloper and the only little worry I'd have with him is heavy ground. He was a small bit disappointing in a novice hurdle at Cork on Sunday but that was just his second run over hurdles and hopefully there should be more to come from him.

Ginto
4g Walk In The Park - Tina Rederie
Crocodile Pockets Syndicate
Unraced
Jamie Codd holds him in very high regard. We'll start him off in a point soon and, if Jamie is right about him, he could be exciting.

Give Him Time
9g Kalanisi - Delayed
Jolly Racing Syndicate
013P1P
RPR 106h, 105c OR 98h, 98c
He made a bad mistake at Punchestown early and Denis [O'Regan] wisely pulled him up. There should be lots more fun to be had with him.

Glan
5m Getaway - Fleur
Mrs Ann Marie McManus
7-11
RPR 113b OR -
Her bumper form is good. She stepped up on her Kilbeggan win when doing it nicely at Punchestown, the form of which has been boosted. We've given her a little break and the plan is to bring her back for some of those nice Listed mares' bumpers in the spring.

Glenglass
4g Ocovango - Funny Times
Noel and Valerie Moran
1- (point-to-point)
RPR 91p OR -
He's a very big horse and did exceptionally well to win a point at four. He's a lovely horse but he won't be busy this year. He's one for the future.

Glenloe
9g Kayf Tara - Mandys Native
JP McManus
5/54/534-
RPR 142c OR 135c
He's a grand horse. It was disappointing that he missed Cheltenham last season as he would have had a decent chance there but hopefully we'll get a clear run with him this year.

Glens Finale
6g Sholokhov - Glens Music
Ms Fiona McStay
1897-
RPR 102h OR -
He's been a hard horse to train but he has an engine.

Glorious Zoff
3g Zoffany - Ardbrae Lady
Deva Racing Syndicate
74-5366 (Flat)
RPR 74f OR 70f
He's schooling well and will start off in a juvenile hurdle in the coming weeks.

Gold Des Bois
6g Full Of Gold - Equatoriale
Robcour
06432-1
RPR 123h OR -
He got off the mark for us at Clonmel and the plan is to run him in a handicap hurdle at Down Royal. We'll keep him to hurdles for the season and hopefully there'll be a nice pot in him.

Golden Nomad
6g Gold Well - Roaming
Sideways Syndicate
3-44202
RPR 112h, 112c OR 108h
He's been a bit disappointing but he's had a wind operation and, on the way he works at home, he should be up to winning races.

Gordon's Jet
4g Jet Away - Rose Brook
Douglas Taylor
14
RPR 113b OR -
He's a nice horse but real heavy ground would be a bit of a worry for him.

Grand Roi
4g Spanish Moon - Ultra D'Anjou
Noel and Valerie Moran
6/31411-
RPR 131h OR 140h
He's done a couple of nice bits at home and he's one we're looking forward to this year. There's a Grade 3 hurdle at Galway that we'll start him off in and, all being well, it'll be the Fishery Lane after that. He'll come on for his first run.

Grangeclare Native
5g Shantou - Navaro
Gigginstown House Stud
1/18-F
RPR 120h OR -
He fell at Gowran Park when a short-priced favourite and we'd be hoping he can put that behind him wherever he goes next. He's a nice horse.

Hamundarson
5g Stowaway - Hats And Heels
Gigginstown House Stud
25-2
RPR 113b OR -
I thought he was one of my better bumper horses last season but he's been a bit disappointing to say the least. We might go over hurdles with him now and maybe even fit him with some headgear.

Hereditary Rule
5g Imperial Monarch - Miss Ogan
CF Syndicate
528-
RPR 114h OR -
He got a leg last year but he's back and is close to running again. He's owned by a great bunch of lads and we're looking forward to getting him back out.

Hollow Games
4g Beat Hollow - I'm Grand
Noel and Valerie Moran
1- (point-to-point)
RPR 93p OR -
Another point winner, he wants soft ground and is a horse I'm looking forward to running. He's going to make a real good staying chaser and I've made no secret about the fact I think he's nice.

Homme D'Un Soir
4g Hurricane Cat - Country Girl
Simon Munir & Isaac Souede
13-
RPR 115b OR -
He won his bumper at Gowran Park but got beaten next time in a messy six-runner bumper at Leopardstown. He's jumping very well and we're looking forward to getting him out soon.

I A Connect
5g Jeremy - Kings Orchid
McNeill Family
3-23
RPR 112b OR -
He works very well at home. For whatever reason, he just hasn't won yet. I'm not sure if we'll keep him to bumpers or go jumping hurdles, but he works like a machine and hopefully he can show that on track before too long.

Imperial Sachin's
4g Fame And Glory - Queen Of Tribes
Imperial Racing Syndicate
3
RPR 100b OR -
He had a nice first run at Downpatrick and he'll come on a lot for that. He should be up to winning a bumper.

Indigo Breeze
4g Martaline - Miss Poutine
G Costello
1 (point-to-point)
He worked well on grass last week and is ready to start off in a bumper fairly soon. He won an English point.

Insane Bolt
4g Slade Power - Rahaala
McDonnell's Bar Racing Syndicate
7-81323
RPR 113h OR 111h
He's a good fun horse who always runs his race. We'll give him a few runs at Dundalk as well as over hurdles over the winter and he'll pay his way.

Jimmy Jimmy
5g Robin Des Champs - Asturienne
Brendan Scully
622-121
RPR 127h OR -
He won his maiden hurdle at Punchestown. He's a good fun horse who'll end up jumping a fence but will pay his way over hurdles.

Kayf Thou
9g Kayf Tara - Labelthou
D Charlesworth
6/34383-
RPR 110c, 100h OR 105c, 94h
He's a low-grade staying handicap chaser but there should be plenty of fun to be had with him over the winter.

Larquebuse
6m Saddler Maker - Sirene Du Rheu
Cheveley Park Stud
141416-
RPR 137h OR -
The ground can't be soft enough for her. She was unlucky not to get black type over hurdles last season and I'd be hoping she can get it over fences this year.

Last Minute Man
8g Yeats - Ella Watson
SP O'Connor
00/3337-
RPR 125h OR 123h
He was unlucky not to win over hurdles last season but hopefully that'll change this season. He's not far off a run.

Longacre Square
5g Jeremy - Missed Trip
We Are Going To Do It Syndicate
74
RPR 105h OR -
He ran well at Tramore last month and should be up to winning a few races for the syndicate. He's a fun horse.

Longclaw
3g Kitten's Joy - Secret Union
NHJ Racing Syndicate
111
RPR 120h OR -
He's won three juvenile hurdles and will probably go to Wetherby for a Listed hurdle.

Magic Tricks
4g Davidoff - Cadoubelle Des As
JP McManus
2- (point-to-point)
RPR 90p OR -
He's a brother to Abacadabras and, like him, he shows plenty of pace. He was second to Gars De Sceaux in a point and we're looking forward to running him soon. He's speedy.

Malone Road
6g Kalanisi - Zaffarella
Cheveley Park Stud
1/11/13
RPR 135h OR -
He came home from Listowel very sore and he's on the easy list, so we probably won't see him until Christmas. He was disappointing at Listowel, where his jumping let him down, but he was clearly feeling something given he came back sore. He looks like he'll need stepping up in trip but you'd have to say it's unlikely he'll ever be the horse he promised to be as a bumper horse, which is unfortunate. He just doesn't seem to be the same since he came back from his injury.

Mars Harper
4g Sulamani - Kizzy May
Pioneer Racing
13
RPR 114b OR -
He surprised us a little when he won at Ballinrobe but the form of that race has worked out well and he showed it wasn't a fluke when he ran well at Punchestown. He's still quite immature and there should be more to come.

Milan Native
7g Milan - That's The Goose
Gigginstown House Stud
24221-1
RPR 152c OR 149c
He won well at Galway on his return and there's a race at Navan in a few weeks for second-season novices which he might go to. There's also a race at Wexford. Long term, I'm hoping he'd be a horse for the Nationals, either Aintree or Fairyhouse.

Minellafordollars
8g King's Theatre - Another Dollar
JP McManus
31/84/6-6
RPR 136h, 124c OR 121c
He came back in from his summer holidays looking great and he'll be up to paying his way. He showed plenty of promise as a young horse and hopefully he's up to winning a few.

Mount Ida
6m Yeats - Jolivia
KTDA Racing
21/1230-
RPR 128h OR 137h
She has black type over hurdles but she's been a bit slow to come to hand this season. We're going to go chasing with her and we think she's up to getting black type over fences.

Mr Caplan
5g Fame And Glory - Clockwise
Allan Snow
2-
RPR 100b OR -
He works very well. We've had a few problems with him at home but he's working well now again. I'd be surprised if he doesn't win his bumper.

Mr Jackman
4g Flemensfirth - Leith Walk
NHJ Racing Syndicate
112
RPR 102h OR -
I was very disappointed when he got beaten over hurdles at Punchestown a couple of weeks ago but the form of that race is turning out to be good. We're looking forward to getting him out again soon and he's up to paying his way.

'It was one of my worst decisions - but I won't make that mistake again'

O' Connell street
6g Fame And Glory - Victorine
Vincent Caldwell & Mrs Kathleen Caldwell
24/2-6
RPR 112h OR -
He got a bit tired on his first run for us at Limerick but he qualifies for a mark now and should be able to pay his way in handicaps.

Off Your Rocco
4g Shirocco - Takeyourcapoff
Pioneer Racing
1
RPR 103b OR -
He won his bumper nicely and we've given him a little break. He's one to look forward to when he goes jumping.

One Down
5g Arcadio - Gilt Ridden
Gigginstown House Stud
413-1
RPR 114h OR -
He won well at Gowran Park but I think he'll need to improve a lot to be competitive in Graded races. He was just very weak last year but I'm much happier with him now. He's a brother to The Game Changer but he's not as quick as he was.

Out Sam
11g Multiplex - Tintera
D Charlesworth
3063P-F
RPR 151c OR 126c
He was in the process of running a nice race at Kilbeggan when he fell three out. He was fine afterwards and we were going to go for the Velká Pardubická but the prize-money was cut, so we decided against it. He could go back to the Cork National, which he won a couple of seasons ago, and also has the option of going down the cross-country route again.

Papal Lodge
4g Papal Bull - Ladyofthelodge
Justanidea Syndicate
3125
RPR 106h OR -
I ran him back too soon last time but he's back working nicely and will run in a maiden hurdle soon.

Paranoid
6g Mahler - Kilbarry Medoc
Philip Reynolds
3402P-1
RPR 120h, 109c OR 110h, 112c
He got the job done at Galway and you'd be hoping he could win again somewhere. He has the option of going over fences as well.

Pencilfulloflead
6g Shantou - Quaspia
Robcour
14214-
RPR 139h OR -
He's schooling very well at home. He was bought to be a chaser and we're looking forward to sending him over a fence.

Petit Mouchoir
9g Al Namix - Arnette
Noel and Valerie Moran
2235-23
RPR 165h, 161c OR 157h
He's a great horse for Noel and Valerie Moran as he can run in all of the big hurdle races in Ireland and hopefully pick up a cheque each time provided he stays sound. How many horses can you buy for £70,000 and know that, if he stays sound, he will win at least half of that if he stays sound? Not many. He's a classy horse and we thought he was worth taking a chance on. We'll keep him over hurdles for the time being but I wouldn't rule out going back over fences with him. The Morgiana Hurdle might be a nice starting point for him.

Presenting Percy
9g Sir Percy - Hunca Munca
Philip Reynolds
18/353F-
RPR 172c OR 165c
I've always liked this horse. He has to improve 6lb or 7lb to be in with a chance of winning a Gold Cup but we're hopeful he can and we're very happy with what he's showing us at home. I can't wait to start him off at Down Royal and hopefully he has a big season ahead of him. If you look back at last season's Gold Cup, there's no reason to say he wouldn't have been in the money if he hadn't fallen. They went no gallop and he was coming from off the pace, which wouldn't have suited, but he was coming with a good run when he came down two out. We're very glad to have him. The plan is very much the Gold Cup but we'll also give ourselves the option of the Grand National. I think he could run very well in that.

Queens Brook
5m Shirocco - Awesome Miracle
Noel and Valerie Moran
13-1
RPR 122h OR -
She was only three-quarters fit when she won at Fairyhouse recently and she had a good blow afterwards. Once she gets softer ground and steps out in trip she'll be a better mare altogether and the mares' novice hurdle at Cheltenham will be the plan for her. She'll go to Down Royal next for the Grade 3 mares' novice that Daylight Katie won last year and, depending on how that goes, I wouldn't be afraid of taking on the boys at some stage with her before Cheltenham. A better gallop will suit her and she wants to please you. They went no gallop at Fairyhouse and we knew she wasn’t fit, but she put her head down and galloped all the way to the line. Watch her from the last to the line – she wants to win. I love that about her.

Quilixios
3g Maxios - Quilita
Cheveley Park Stud
1-1
RPR 133h OR -
It's very early to be starting to talk about the Triumph Hurdle but he's a nice horse and he showed that at Punchestown last week. We’ll step him up in grade now.

Ragnar Lodbrok
5g Fame And Glory - Justamemory
Gigginstown House Stud
34-1
RPR 121h OR -
He ran in a couple of good bumpers last year before getting off the mark for us over hurdles at Galway. He should come on a lot from that.

Ravenhill
10g Winged Love - Rhythm Hill
Try Ravenhill Syndicate
52F1-U6
RPR 157c OR 153c
He won the National Hunt Chase last season but disappointed us a little at Punchestown last week. I had been thinking of running him in the big race [Ladbrokes Champion Chase] at Down Royal but we'll see closer to the time. The Grand National looks the race for him and that'll be his long-term target.

Recent Revelations
4g Moohaajim - Shirley Blake
Half Married Syndicate
24-22P5
RPR 128h OR 130h
He was disappointing at Punchestown last week and we'll be trying to get him back to some of his better form as a juvenile and hopefully get his head in front over hurdles somewhere this season. He had a wind operation before Punchestown.

Road To Dubai
6g Aqlaam - Fragrancy
Brendan Scully
12331-1
RPR 136h OR -
We'll mix and match with him. The race he won at Navan wasn't strong but he did it well and hopefully he'll be up to winning again.

Run Wild Fred
6g Shantou - Talkin Madam
Gigginstown House Stud
1/31F1-3
RPR 145c, 149h OR 144h
He was a bit disappointing on his return at Limerick when it looked as though he had the race won before weakening at the back of the last. He should come on from that and hopefully he's up to winning his beginners' chase. I wouldn't be writing him off at all and, if he's not a Graded horse, hopefully he can pay his way in handicaps.

Saint D'Oroux
4g Saint Des Saints - Benghasi
Simon Munir & Isaac Souede
513-933
RPR 131h OR 130h
He's had a wind operation since his last run. He just wasn't finishing his races out. If he comes back to his Cheltenham form he'll be okay.

Samcro
8g Germany - Dun Dun
Gigginstown House Stud
25-1F21
RPR 165c OR 159c
The second-season novice chase at Down Royal is the plan for him and then you'd love to aim him back at something like the Ryanair at Cheltenham. We could go for the John Durkan at Punchestown and maybe something like the Kinloch Brae at Thurles before Cheltenham. I'm not going to do what I did last season in running him on bottomless ground during the winter. Everyone was saying how good a training performance it was getting him back to win the Marsh but I'd argue it was one of the worst training decisions I have ever made when I ran him on heavy ground at Limerick last winter. I won't make that mistake again with him and he could get a little break during the winter as he's just not the same horse on deep ground.

Sams Choice
4g Kalanisi - Impressive Choice
Lyreen Syndicate
24
RPR 108b OR -
He was second first time up at Punchestown and then we probably ran him back a bit quick when he disappointed us on softer ground there on his second start. We'll freshen him up and have him for the spring and he's a nice horse.

Santana Plessis
6g Saint Des Saints - La Passeroie
D Charlesworth
422221
RPR 123h OR 115h
He won well the other day at Kilbeggan when Denis [O'Regan] gave him a good ride. I thought the handicapper was harsh enough putting him up 7lb but hopefully he'll be up to winning a little novice hurdle in England.

Sharp Focus
5g Rock Of Gibraltar - Strawberrymystique
Magnified Partnership
951602 (Flat)
RPR 79f OR 71f
He ran well in Killarney last time and he has been schooling well over hurdles. We might give him one more run on the Flat before we go jumping with him.

Shattered Love
9m Yeats - Tracker
Gigginstown House Stud
17326-3
RPR 159c OR 150c
It's not going to be easy to place her this season but she ran well at Punchestown and should come on from that.

Sheer Liss
5m Shirocco - Liss Na Tintri
Kenneth Alexander
3126
RPR 116b OR -
She ran very well in a good mares' bumper at Gowran Park first time up for us. If we'd known her better we might have made more use of her that day. Maybe we ran her back a bit soon at Ballinrobe the other day but we'll freshen her up now and there should be more to come from her over hurdles.

Sire Du Berlais
8g Poliglote - Royale Athenia
JP McManus
18/4941-
RPR 164h OR 158h
He has won the last two runnings of the Pertemps at Cheltenham. He's going to have to improve if he's to step up into open company but hopefully he can. The Stayers' Hurdle division looks open and we don't really have any other option but to go down that route, so hopefully he's up to it.

Sir Gerhard
5g Jeremy - Faanan Aldaar
Cheveley Park Stud
1- (point-to-point)
RPR 93p OR -
He's a nice young horse who won his point very impressively and, everything he's done at home, he's done it well. We think he'll take high rank in the bumper sphere.

Sister Eliza
3f Footstepsinthesand - Gift Dancer
Jolly Racing Syndicate
4B0
RPR 98h OR -
She has a couple of nice runs over hurdles under her belt and goes for a fillies' three-year-old hurdle next week. She's a nice fun horse.

Star Maker
6g Mastercraftsmasn - Snoqualmie Star
Thomond Racing Syndicate
1P400-0
RPR 130h OR 128h
He was disappointing at Tipperary but he won a nice pot for us at Killarney last summer and if we could get him back to that sort of form he'd pay his way. He'll run at Down Royal if the ground isn't too soft for him.

Take A Turn
6g Henrythenavigator - Satwa Pearl
MJ Wasylocha
71/1P4-0
RPR 124h OR 122h
He ran a bit flat last time but on his best form he's up to winning races and we're looking forward to getting him out soon.

Thatsy
6g Martaline - Rainallday
K Haughey & Laura Haughey & Kieran T Byrne
21497-2
RPR 130c
I don't know what his trip is. I run him over two miles and it looks like he wants two and a half, then we run him over two and a half and it looks like he needs two. He got tired at Galway but he should come on from it. We'll try and win our beginners' chase and take things from there.

The Abbey
7g Yeats - Sapphire Spray
When In Rome Partnership
276-222
RPR 115c OR 109c
We might bring him back to 2m and he'll run his race in handicaps. He's unfortunate not to have won over fences before now.

The Bosses Oscar
5g Oscar - Cuteasafox
Noel and Valerie Moran
12125-
RPR 140h OR 137h
He's the one horse you'd take out of Cheltenham last season as he was very unlucky in the Martin Pipe. Nothing went right for him in the race and he got knocked down everywhere but still managed to finish his race off well. He goes to Thurles for a winners' race and there'll be a lot of fun to be had with him this season.

The Sliding Rock
5m Shantou - Karello Bay
Mrs Caren Walsh & EG Tunstall & John F Doyle & John Mulholl
6-261261
RPR 120h OR 116h
She should be up to getting black type. She just didn't handle Downpatrick last month and she showed what she's made of at Ballinrobe. She's nice.

The Storyteller
9g Shantou - Bally Bolshoi
Mrs P Sloan
2-P1121
RPR 163c, 159h OR 156c, 153h
He may have earned himself a crack at the big one at Down Royal next month after winning so well at Punchestown last week. He’s been a great horse for us, winning ten races altogether, and he has the option of going back over hurdles. It wouldn't shock me if he were to run well in a Stayers' Hurdle.

The Very Man
6g Jeremy - Mill Meadow
Gigginstown House Stud
211-114
RPR 138h OR 138h
He did well for us over hurdles during the summer and I'd imagine he'll go chasing sooner rather than later.

Tiger Roll
10g Authorized - Swiss Roll
Gigginstown House Stud
4111/52-
RPR 174c OR 168c
We have the option of running him in a Flat maiden at Navan this week or going to Down Royal for the Ladbrokes Champion Chase but I'd only run him there if the ground wasn't soft and I wouldn't do the two – if we run him on the Flat, I'd say we'd look for a little hurdle race for him somewhere. I'll tell you one thing, though, he's absolutely bouncing at home. The plan is to go back for the cross-country at Cheltenham and then all the talk will be about Aintree, but we'll be training him for Cheltenham first and foremost. He's in serious form at home and I couldn't be happier with him. We made no secret of the fact he had a less than ideal prep for Cheltenham and then the ground turned up soft on the day when he was second to a very good horse. It was going to be a bit of a rush to build him back up for a Grand National and, in hindsight, what happened with the race may have been a blessing in disguise as far as he was concerned. He's a different horse now compared to this time last year and we can't wait to start him back.

Timoteo
7g Diamond Green - Goldnella
Middleham Park Racing Ireland
7511/8P-
RPR 142c OR 129c
We could aim him at all of those good two-mile handicap chases. Something like the Dan Moore at Fairyhouse could suit him.

Tullybeg
5g Sholokhov - Verney Roe
Noel and Valerie Moran
4-12U1
RPR 134h OR -
I think stepping up in trip was the key to him at Downpatrick, where he won well. I might not run him on real heavy ground but he's in good form and we're looking forward to him.

Uncle Henry
6g Henrythenavigator - Shebelia
Kieron Gammell
32F/140
RPR 117h OR 115h
He pulled a muscle and we missed a few days with him after Navan but he's back working well now and we'll get him out as soon as we can.

Weseekhimhere
4g Elusive Pimpernel - Rhythm Nation
John F Doyle & Mrs Caren Walsh
011
RPR 126b OR -
He was very impressive in winning his two bumpers. We might keep him to bumpers this season and head to Down Royal or Navan next.

Wide Receiver
5g Sholokhov - Sagarich
Gigginstown House Stud
1/126-2
RPR 122h OR -
He probably should have won at Punchestown last week but should come on from that. We like him a lot and there should be more to come.

Zanahiyr
3g Nathaniel - Zariyna
Noel and Valerie Moran
1
RPR 129h
He won over a mile and a half on the Flat and looks a nice type for juvenile hurdling. He had been working well before his Ballinrobe win and should improve from that.

Two for the tracker

There's a lot of fun to be had with The Bosses Oscar, who was the horse to take out of Cheltenham last year, and I wouldn't be writing off Run Wild Fred at all. Hopefully he's up to winning a nice staying handicap chase.
Expert View

Gordon Elliott was just hours away from winning his first trainers' title back in late April of 2018 before being collared in the final few strides by Willie Mullins, but this looks his best chance yet.

He appears to have both quality and quantity in every department. Mick Jazz finished third in a Champion Hurdle, but he was something of a wild card, so Abacadabras is the first real speedy two-mile hurdler Elliott has had. He's no bigger than 6-1 for the Champion Hurdle so races like the Morgiana, Ryanair Hurdle and Irish Champion Hurdle will be on his radar. The prize-money available in those will provide new entries to his piggy bank.

New signing Presenting Percy strengthens his staying chase team. We did not see the best of Delta Work in last season's Cheltenham Gold Cup, so it would be foolish to write him off, so Samcro could stay over two and a half miles and have a crack at the Ryanair.

Fury Road being kept over hurdles could be a shrewd move. He is surely a Stayers' Hurdle contender, along with two-time Pertemps Final winner Sire Du Berlais.

No horse has ever been sprinkled with more stardust than Envoi Allen. He appears to have everything you want in a racehorse and captains a terrific team of novice chasers. Easywork, second to him in the Ballymore, is another high-class recruit to fences.

Queens Brook is better than she showed at Fairyhouse. Slower ground, a more generous gallop and a longer trip will bring out the best in her.

And do not dare give up on Wide Receiver. He was a beaten odds-on favourite at Punchestown last week but jumped superbly in the main and just made a mess of the last. He's nice.

Fantasio D'Alene strikes me as the ideal Albert Bartlett type, while Elliott has won just about every juvenile hurdle going so far. Zanahiyr, a winner at Ballinrobe on Saturday, might just be the best of that bunch.

And, you had to wait until the final line for Tiger Roll to be mentioned. That tells you all you need to know.

David Jennings

Slattsy wrote: »

Great stuff Del. Sire Du Berlais confirmed for the Stayers, just what i was hoping for!

No Geraghty to get it home and better improvers to come in the race you would hope, has course and festival form which is crucial but i just don’t fancy him at all.

ALAN KING STABLE TOURS 2020

Stable profile
Yard Barbury Castle Stables
Where Wroughton, Swindon
Started training December 1999
Horses in yard 120
Members of staff 46
Head lads David Stratton, Stuart Messenger, Gary Mew
Assistant trainer Dan Horsford
Pupil assistant trainers Robin Smith, Katie Thurtle
Travelling head person Mark White
Assistant travelling head persons Gareth Ball, Sarah Burness, Cheryl Binner
Jockeys Tom Cannon, Tom Bellamy
Conditionals Alexander Thorne, Max Browne
PA Charlotte Plunkett & Jackie Ferguson
Stable sponsor Hare
Website alankingracing.co.uk

Winners in Britain

2019-20 41
2018-19 91
2017-18 58
2016-17 104
2015-16 68

Profit/loss to £1 stake

2019-20 -£92.41
2018-19 -£156.32
2017-18 -£133.86
2016-17 -£77.18
2015-16 -£120.54

Total prize-money 2019-20
£644,470

Horses

Azzerti
Eight-year-old gelding
Voix Du Nord (sire) - Zalagarry (dam)
Owner: McNeill Family and Prodec Networks Ltd
Form figures: 1650P-4
Racing Post rating: 141c Official rating: 133c
He lost his way slightly last season, but we gave him a good summer break and he ran well at Fontwell. He should come on for the run and I'd hope he can get back winning. He's very relaxed nowadays and should get three miles. He could head back to Newbury next month.

Ballywood
6 g Ballingarry - Miss Hollywood
Highclere Thoroughbred Racing - Ballywood
4/U336-2
RPR 153c OR 144c
He ran some marvellous races last season in a difficult winter given he doesn't want testing ground. He was a good second at Fontwell, where he just needed the run, and may go to Cheltenham on Friday or Aintree on Sunday. I want to try him over two and a half miles at some stage this season.

Big Chief Benny
9 g Beneficial - Be Airlie
Oitavos Partnership
0/074/44-
RPR 122c OR 116c
He needed a couple of runs last season having missed plenty of 2018-19 and seems in really good form, working well now. He's had a few issues and wants soft ground, but I hope he can build on last season's efforts over fences.

Blacko
4 g Balko - Ascella
Apple Tree Stud
5211P-5
RPR 128h OR 132h
He was a little fresh on his comeback at Chepstow but still finished fifth and should be spot on now. He'll go down the handicap route over hurdles and, given the way he travels, at the moment there seems no point in stepping him up in trip.

Burren Walk
5 m Lucarno - Persian Walk
Denis J Barry
3/9-4
RPR 105h OR -
She was very free in her second bumper and we put her away, but she's more relaxed now, training in a hood. I was happy with her hurdles debut at Warwick and I'll probably give her another run at two miles – she'll get further but I want to make sure she settles.

Canelo
7 g Mahler - Nobody's Darling
John P McManus
1/3601-0
RPR 139c OR 130c
He took a few runs to get the hang of things over fences but won well at Huntingdon. He wants at least two and a half miles and won't mind it when the rain comes. He'll come on plenty for his run at Uttoxeter last week.

Chosen Path
7 g Well Chosen - Karsulu
McNeill Family and Prodec Networks Ltd
318/312/
RPR 145c OR 142c
He's been off a long time after straining his tendons at Market Rasen but he's back cantering and is a goodish-ground horse who'll probably be out in the spring. He was quite a progressive chaser before that injury.

Coeur De Lion
7 g Pour Moi - Hora
The Barbury Boys
500/558-
RPR 139h OR 131h
He was a Royal Ascot winner but ran another shocker in the Cesarewitch and clearly doesn't like Newmarket. He's freshening up at the moment and will have a couple of hurdle runs when he's back. He looked like winning on his last try at Kempton until blundering at the second-last.

Colours of my life
5 m Arcadio - Lough Roe Lady
Charles Dingwall
5-
RPR 95b
She's a likeable mare who looked as though she was coming to win at Newbury only to tire. She's done well for the summer and is a lot stronger now. She'll probably have one more run in a bumper and then go hurdling. She has a good staying pedigree and is one to look forward to.

Dal Horrisgle
4 g Nathaniel - Dalvina
St Albans Bloodstock Ltd
155-473 (Flat)
RPR 104 (Flat)
He was useful with William Haggas but they felt he needed a change of scenery. He had a wind operation and ran well for us on soft ground at Ascot. He's really taken to schooling over hurdles and he could be a decent novice.

Deyrann De Carjac
7 g Balko - Queyrann
J Law
5/11330-
RPR 148c OR 145c
He's a bit behind the main string because he had to have an operation after fracturing a bone at the back of his knee at Cheltenham. He'd taken well to fences and will be campaigned at 2m4f to 2m6f. There could be a good race in him and he's at his best on better ground.

Didonato
5 m Milan - Dream Lass
S Smith
443-
RPR 96b
She's quite heavy and very laid-back and she improved with every run in bumpers. She'll really progress with racing over hurdles and should get two and a half miles.

Dingo Dollar
8 g Golden Lariat - Social Society
M Warren, J Holmes, R Kidner & J Wright
P/355U-0
RPR 152c OR 142c
He was being aimed at the Topham last spring and the plan now is to run him in the Becher Chase, even though he disappointed over hurdles at Uttoxeter on his return. I think his jumping and his style of racing could make him very effective over the National fences.

Dino Velvet
7 g Naaqoos - Matgil
McNeill Family & Niall Farrell
6-38347
RPR 137h OR 133h
He's been running well all summer, though the handicapper's just got him. We experimented at two and a half miles but he's at his best over a strongly run two miles when horses start to come back to him.

Duke Of Condicote
3 g No Nay Never - Duchess Of Gazeley
Jamie Magee, A Bromley & A King
54-1252 (Flat)
RPR 85f
He stayed on really well when second at Yarmouth after a break, handling the testing ground, and will now be schooled over hurdles.

Star quality

Edwardstone
6 g Kayf Tara - Nothingtoloose
Robert Abrey, Ian Thurtle
22/1126-
RPR 142h OR 142h
His form in novice hurdles last season was high-class and he ran creditably in the Supreme at Cheltenham when our horses weren't really firing. He wants better ground than he got there. I'd like to go for the Greatwood Hurdle with him, although I'm not sure whether or not he'll have a run beforehand. Then we'll take a view on whether to go over fences – he'll make a lovely chaser but he's not had a lot of racing and can be a bit headstrong, which is why he's starting over hurdles.

Escapability
5 g Excelebration - Brief Escapade
S Love, H & C Barrett & D Gibbon
343-324
RPR 122h OR 121h
He's been running well, although he's proving difficult to win with. His best run was his second in a competitive handicap at Market Rasen and he was beaten favourite in novices either side. He's being freshened up and I'd love to get his head in front.

Es Perfecto
5 g Shirocco - Shadow Dearg
Mrs Liz Prowting
4S13-1
RPR 114h OR -
He's a lovely horse and won on his hurdles debut at Warwick where he did well to win because he got knocked sideways after he jumped the last. I won't overface him but he'll keep progressing, won't mind slower ground and could stay beyond two and a half miles.

Fidux
7 g Fine Grain - Folle Tempete
Axom LXVIII
3P-2241
RPR 146c OR 142c
He's a grand little horse who's been lumping big weights this season and put up a terrific performance when winning a valuable handicap at Market Rasen last Saturday. He stays 2m6f, handles better ground and is really consistent.

Fraternel
5 g Kap Rock - Valence
Tim Syder
3/51-
RPR 121h OR 125h
He was a big baby last season and I was delighted with his win at Fakenham. He's much stronger this year and is a novice until the end of November so he'll be ready when we get a bit of rain. He'll probably stay hurdling this season and will get further than two and a half miles in time.

Good Man Pat
7 g Gold Well - Basically Supreme
David Sewell
P5/4704-
RPR 147c OR 133c
I experimented with him over three miles last season but he doesn't quite get home, so we'll run him in 2m4f and 2m6f chases and I'd hope he could be very competitive off his mark. He may start over hurdles at Cheltenham on Friday.

Greenrock Abbey
4 g El Salvado - Aos Dana
Million in Mind
1 (point-to-point)
RPR 90p
He's a big, scopey horse who won an Irish point-to-point before we bought him at the Cheltenham sale in March. I've been very happy with him and he'll go straight over hurdles, probably at two and a half miles with a view to stepping up in trip.

Dark horse

Grisbi De Berce
4 g Tin Horse - Volupia De Berce
Charles Dingwall & Alan King
7-
RPR 100b
He works like a very good horse and ran well on his debut at Kempton despite doing an awful lot wrong. He pulled really hard and hung quite badly and was nearly unrideable at one stage, but still finished seventh in a pretty smart bumper. He'll go straight over hurdles, probably right-handed over two miles. He works like a smart youngster.

Group Stage
4 g Maxios - Good Hope
McNeill Family & Niall Farrell
1420-8
RPR 120h OR 126h
He was always in top gear on his return at Chepstow so he'll step up in trip now and will improve for going up to two and a half miles. He had solid form last season and should continue to pay his way.

Harambe
7 g Malinas - Crystal Princess
Niall Farrell & Friends
112/71B-
RPR 143h OR 143h
He's just come back after being in pre-training at AP's [McCoy], and may head back to the Greatwood. He looked very good when winning it last season but got brought down at the last in the Betfair Hurdle and was lucky to survive – he was down for quite a while and it's taken him a long time to recover. He looks very well, his movement is great and we'll take a view through the season about whether to send him chasing.

Harrowby
4 g Gentlewave - Cutielilou
The Harrowby Partnership
0-
RPR 82b
He's a horse I've always liked and we fired him off at the deep end in the Listed bumper at Cheltenham. He was very green and we probably overfaced him, but he's ready to start again with another run in a bumper before he goes hurdling. I still like him.

Heart Of A Lion
5 g Yeats - Lady Secret
John P McManus
1-
RPR 106b
He won very well on his debut at Southwell but then had a setback last autumn. He'd have been ready to run in the spring but there was no racing. I'm really looking forward to getting him started over hurdles.

Her Indoors
3 f Raven's Pass - Superfonic
McNeill Family & Niall Farrell
29-4712 (Flat)
RPR 80 (Flat)
She won well at Lingfield and was a good second in a competitive handicap at Chelmsford. I'd like to give her one run over hurdles and then aim her at the juvenile fillies' Listed race at Aintree which I won for the third time with Midnights' Gift last year. She's a progressive filly who may benefit from soft ground.

Hostile
6 g Malinas - Skew
Alan King
2/
RPR 115b
He's a half-brother to Valdez and was second in a bumper before damaging his pelvis, although he was ready to run again when racing stopped. He'll be out towards the end of the month, either in another bumper or over hurdles.

Jaboticaba
6 g Muhtathir - Janiceinwonderland
Owners Group 025
2253-14
RPR 128c OR 125c
He won well over two miles at Warwick and was then fourth off an 8lb higher mark in a stronger race at Kempton. However, neither Tom Cannon nor I were convinced he got the extra two furlongs so he'll probably come back to two.

Jay Bee Why
5 g Yeats- Lady Bernie
David J S Sewell & Tim Leadbeater
0-
RPR 86b
He's an Irish point winner who behaved badly before his first run for me at Newbury. We had a job getting the saddle on and he did far too much through the race. We've tidied his wind up and he'll go novice hurdling, probably starting at two and a half miles.

Label Des Obeaux
9 g Saddler Maker - La Bessiere
David Sewell & Terry Warner
86/6/94-6
RPR 138h 156c OR 126h 144c
Although he's got some good chase form, he seems happy hurdling and will stay down that route. He's always needed a run and the ground was as quick as he'd want it at Newton Abbot last week. There may be another three-mile handicap in him.

Lord Lamington
4 g Australia - Lady Eclair
Netherfield House Stud
1220-
RPR 126h OR 135h
He was quite progressive over hurdles last season, although he's high enough in the handicap. He wants ground that's good to soft or slower and he'll get further than two miles.

Loverboy
9 g Winged Love - Tartan Belle
Mrs Susan Page
2/7/39/1-6
RPR 121h OR 121h
He was new to me last season and won at Chepstow after a long layoff before missing numerous races due to abandonments. He started off at Wetherby and was beaten less than five lengths in a muddling race.

Major Dundee
5 b g Scorpion - Be My Granny
Trevor Hemmings
10F6-
RPR 119h OR -
He's a bumper winner who was running a pleasing race when falling at the last on his hurdles debut at Warwick. He was down for a while and we may have run him back too quickly next time. He'll be a proper stayer in time and should win over hurdles before going chasing.

Messire Des Obeaux
8 g Saddler Maker - Madame Lys
Simon Munir & Isaac Souede
11233/4-
RPR 149h OR 138h
He's a Grade 1 winner who was off for three years before we got him back to run at Huntingdon, where he travelled well for a long way and Daryl Jacob looked after him as he tired. He may go straight over fences when we get proper soft ground, although we have to take it one day at a time with him.

Midnight Ginger
4 f Midnight Legend - Calamintha
Pitchall Stud Partnership
14-
RPR 106b
She's a very likeable filly who won on her debut at Newbury and was a good fourth in a Listed bumper at Market Rasen. She's been held up slightly after throwing a curb but she'll go straight over hurdles.

Midnightreferendum
7 m Midnight Legend - Forget The Ref
Robert Abrey, Ian Thurtle
441/935-
RPR 126 OR 122h
She was a good fifth in a competitive 2m5f handicap at Kempton, where she was flat to the boards, so she'll probably want to step up in trip as the season goes on. She's schooling over fences and jumps very well.

Midnights' Gift
4 f Midnight Legend - Giving
Pitchall Stud Partnership
1240-24
RPR 131h OR 130h
She had a good season as a juvenile and ran well again when fourth at Market Rasen last weekend – she'd have finished closer but for interference. I'll try to find her a mares' race.

Midnights Legacy
3 c Midnight Legend - Giving
Pitchall Stud Partnership
3
RPR 86h
He's exciting and got up to 90 in the handicap on the Flat, which is pretty useful. An early mistake unsettled him on his hurdles debut at Wetherby and his jumping was rather novicey. The plan is still to head to the back there for the Wensleydale at the end of the month.

Nebuchadnezzar
5 b g Planteur - Trexana
Top Brass 2
4/22771-9
RPR 121h OR 124h
He won a valuable race at Fakenham on the Friday of the Cheltenham Festival. We shouldn't have run him at Fontwell on his return as he hated the soft ground and we'll have to avoid winter going with him. He'll get further than two miles.

Nobby
6 g Authorized - Magic Music
Ray Bailey
2/112/
RPR 118b
It's great to have him back. He won two bumpers and then looked home and hosed at Newbury but went wrong in the last 100 yards and finished lame. He suffered a serious injury, but is back cantering and will go novice hurdling when he's ready.

Notachance
6 g Mahler - Ballybrowney Hall
David Sewell & Tim Leadbetter
51/2152-
RPR 137c OR 132c
He was consistent last season and is suited by three miles and a galloping track. I'm not convinced the cheekpieces helped him much on his final start as he still raced lazily. He'll probably start off without the headgear and should continue to run well.

On To Victory
6 g Rock Of Gibraltar - Clouds Of Magellan
HP Racing
U32F-
RPR 125h OR 125h
He's been running well on the Flat and is due to go for the November Handicap before returning to hurdles. He was going to be second when he unseated his rider at the last on his hurdles debut and ended up on the floor on his last start at Kempton, but he's a good jumper at home. He's working an awful lot better now than he did last year and he should certainly win over hurdles.

Outonpatrol
6 m Stowaway - Burnt Oil Babe
McNeill Family and Niall Farrell
17/824-1
RPR 119h OR 119h
She's a likeable mare who wasn't quite firing last year so we gave her a wind operation and she's been pleasing me this autumn. She won well at Warwick last time, although I'm not sure how strong the form is. She's likely to head to Lingfield on Thursday and will continue to progress. She'll make a lovely chaser when the time comes.

Peckinpah
4 g Excelebration - Melodrama
Coupland, Gemmell, Hues & Sullivan
434-
RPR 108h OR 111h
He's been running well on the Flat and is due to run in an amateurs' race at Newbury on Saturday. He should do well in novice handicaps back over hurdles.

Potterman
7 g Sulamani - Polly Potter
James and Jean Potter
25-0212
RPR 150c OR 142c
He had a very good summer, winning at Market Rasen and then running a fine second at Chepstow. He stays and jumps well and as he gets older he may appreciate a bit more ease in the ground. He should continue to pay his way.

Rebel Royal
7 g Getaway - Molly Duffy
Jerry Wright, Martin Walker and Tony Hughes
F7/61P-P4
RPR 130c OR 122c
He got hammered by the handicapper after winning a very ordinary race at Huntingdon and he's not up to that mark. He ran better when fourth at Wincanton but needs to come down in the weights.

Roscoe Tara
5 g Kaye Tara - Aunt Harriet
Roger & Yvonne Allsop
6
RPR 101b
He's a big, backward horse who's taken time but ran well in a steadily run bumper at Warwick. He'll be suited by easier ground and will probably have another bumper run before going hurdling.

Santon
5 g Scorpion - Nutmeg Tune
Trevor Hemmings
65-
RPR 104h OR -
He's a big, scopey horse who stayed on nicely after getting outpaced on his hurdles debut at Market Rasen. He'll progress with experience and will make a smart staying chaser in time.

Scarlet Dragon
7 g Sir Percy - Welsh Angel
HP Racing Scarlet Dragon
154/158-
RPR 140h OR 140h
He's having a break after a wind operation and may go hurdling on his return, having won a Listed race at Market Rasen last season. However, I'll study the all-weather programme before making a decision.

Sceau Royal
8 g Doctor Dino - Sandside
Simon Munir & Isaac Souede
2/6325-1
RPR 168c 157h OR 163c 150h
He's a high-class chaser. He can't go a yard when places like Sandown get soft or heavy but he's shown elsewhere that he's not far off the best of them, and a wind operation might have eked a bit of improvement out of him. I was thrilled with his win in the Welsh Champion Hurdle and we may stay over hurdles for the time being. We could look at the Elite Hurdle and he'll be entered for the Greatwood, although there is also the Shloer Chase. I've had the idea for a while of trying him over two and a half miles and that's still in my mind.

Senior Citizen
6 g Tobougg - Mothers Help
McNeill Family
06/214-1
RPR 140c OR 134c
He's a horse I like and has just taken time to strengthen. He won well at Newton Abbot but had quite a hard race and I'll give him time before running him again. He'll continue to improve and will get three miles in time.

Sheshoon Sonny
5 g Youmzain - Minnie's Mystery
McNeill Family & Niall Farrell
21/35723-
RPR 119h OR 117h
He was a nearly horse last season, lacking concentration in a race, so I hope he's matured a bit with another summer on him. His bumper form was solid and I'm sure he'll progress as the season goes on.

Talkischeap
8 g Getaway - Carrigmoorna Oak
Charles Dingwall
1251/3P-
RPR 160c OR 155c
Unfortunately a recurring wind problem resulted in his having a tie-back operation last week and he'll not be seen for some time. If he came back to form, Charles Dingwall would still love to run him in the Grand National. He's much better on good ground.

Temple High
5 m Sulamani - Uppermost
James and Jean Potter
5/3-
RPR 113h OR -
She had a couple of runs for Nicky Henderson and goes very pleasingly at home. I'm still learning about her, but I trained her half-sister Midnight Tour to be second at the Cheltenham Festival and it's a family I know well.

The Devils Drop
7 g Court Cave - Concernforkillen
David Mason
335/111/
RPR 137h OR 134h
He's been missing for a long time due to a leg problem but is back in good form and will go chasing after a run over hurdles – he's sure to need a race. He was very progressive when we last saw him.

The Glancing Queen
6 m Jeremy - Glancing
Dingwall, Farrell, Hornsby & Murray
1/1351/8-
RPR 121b
We had no run with her last season as she got a splint and it took most of the winter to get her sound. She ran well for a long way in the Champion Bumper but that was the end of the season and she didn't really like the surface when we ran her on the Flat at Kempton. She looks marvellous again now, back in strong work, and she's an exciting prospect for mares' novice hurdles. It's great to have her back.

The Unit
9 g Gold Well - Sovana
International Plywood
812132/
RPR 144c 138c
He missed last season, although he'd have been ready if there'd been racing in the spring and I think he's still got plenty of ability. He's working well but had to miss Chepstow recently when the ground dried up. Good or good to soft is ideal and we'll find a two-and-a-half-mile chase for him.

Tritonic
3 c Sea The Moon - Selenography
McNeill Family and Ian Dale
5-22624 (Flat)
RPR 106f OR 99f
He's high-class and has run some marvellous races this Flat season, finishing second at Royal Ascot and in a Listed race. He'll be gelded and given a break and then may school in January. He could make his debut in something like the Adonis Hurdle or go back down the Flat route and wait for jumping next season.

Tronada
4 f Toronado - Manbaa
Barbury Lions 5
444-
RPR 105h OR 108h
She has got her act together on the Flat and won three times this year. I'd imagine her mark of 108 is very manageable back over hurdles. She handles soft ground and we could have a lot of fun with her.

Valdez
13 ch g Doyen - Skew
Riverdee Stable
32/8145-
RPR 159c OR 145c
He's 13 but his enthusiasm has not waned in the slightest. He's waiting for more ease in the ground and wants two and a half miles – we tried him over three last season and he didn't get it. He's best right-handed.

Valleres
5 g Coastal Path - Duchesse Pierji
Simon Munir & Isaac Souede
13-1
RPR 126h OR -
He's a lovely young horse, an Irish point winner who finished third in a bumper that's working out well. I could not have been more pleased with his winning debut over hurdles at Wetherby. He'll improve for the experience and is an exciting prospect.

Who Dares Wins
8 g Jeremy - Savignano
HP Racing Who Dares Wins
53/2210-
RPR 153c 151h OR 147c 151h
He's been the most wonderful horse. Not many can reach the level he's done under all codes and his win at Royal Ascot was very special. He's had a good break and will go down the hurdles route, probably starting off in the three-miler at the Ladbrokes Trophy meeting at Newbury. We're not going to ask him to jump a fence again, I don't think our nerves would take it – we must be getting soft in our old age!

William H Bonny.
9 g Midnight Legend - Calamintha
Mr & Mrs R Scott
107/P3-5
RPR 139h OR 129h
He summered unbelievably well and it's taken time to get the weight off him. He'll come on plenty for his first run back at Wetherby and he could possibly go chasing after a couple of hurdles runs.

Wynn House
5 m Presenting - Glorious Twelfth
Rupert Anton
1/22-1
RPR 119h OR -
She's a quality mare and I was really pleased with her win over hurdles at Bangor as she handled the soft ground well. She could head to Ludlow on Thursday if the forecast rain materialises. She needs at least two and a half miles and I'd hope she'll be one of the better mares around.

Two for the tracker

Valleres won very pleasingly at Wetherby and is an exciting prospect, while it's great to have The Glancing Queen back – she looks marvellous.

Expert analysis
You have to go back to Uxizandre in the 2015 Ryanair Chase to find the last Alan King-trained winner at the Cheltenham Festival, but that is 100 per cent down to how all the best jumps horses go to a handful of yards rather than the competence of the trainer.

Year in year out, King wins big races. He trained three winners and a second at Royal Ascot in June and only on Saturday had perhaps the biggest winner of his Flat career with Trueshan on Champions Day. Basically he has always been, and still is, one of the best trainers in Britain and, while he might still be lacking that absolute superstar jumper, Sceau Royal is right up there with the best two-mile chasers around and he looked better than ever when winning the Welsh Champion Hurdle on Sunday.

It should not be forgotten that Sceau Royal is still only eight and that he has already finished sixth in a Champion Hurdle and third in a Champion Chase. It is just unfortunate that he was born in the same era as Altior because he could win a Champion Chase on good ground. Time is still on his side and a wind operation might have improved him a few pounds too.

He is clearly the standout horse in the string, but King always has some good juvenile hurdlers and that might be where his strength lies. Midnights Legacy is a lot better than he showed at Wetherby last week when he seemed to lose a bit of confidence after an early mistake, but it's Tritonic who should really get the King fans excited.

Second to Highland Chief at Royal Ascot, Tritonic ran as well as he's ever done at Newmarket recently when fourth in one of the hottest handicaps of the season, giving lots of weight to those who beat him. There won't be many better Flat horses than him going juvenile hurdling.

Last but by no means least, no one should lose faith in The Glancing Queen, who had nothing go right last season but still managed to finish eighth in the Champion Bumper. It's virtually impossible to beat the Irish in the mares' races, but if there is one horse that might be up to it in Britain it's The Glancing Queen.

Tom Segal

Hope yis all enjoyed that bank holiday pressie, lads.

didn't Robbie say in that interview.."the horses were a few weeks behind and sure thats no harm, its a long winter"